Register for the Fall Pastor Retreat
Don’t miss this great opportunity for focused learning with Dr. Ken Bailey and fellowship with fellow pastors! October 20-21 at Villa Maria Conference Center…register online today. Deadline to register is next Friday, October 3rd!
EP Activity This Month
Our Executive Presbyter, Ralph Hawkins, will attend the national Sentralized Conference on missional church practice, in Dallas (September 25-27). He will be meeting with the leadership of Wampum church and Word Centered Fellowship this month, as well as the Jamestown congregation. Ralph welcomes opportunities to preach or bring greetings during a worship service, as well as opportunities to visit Session and Deacon meetings. Schedule a Sunday or a meeting time by contacting him at 724-528-1610 or ralph@shenango.org.
2015 Minimum Terms of Call
Last evening, the presbytery approved the Committee on Ministry’s recommendation that the minimum Terms of Call for 2015 for Teaching Elders in full-time service be increased by 1% to $48,138 (a $478 increase). Pastors, Clerks of Session, and Treasurers will be receiving a mailing with worksheets in the next few weeks. The worksheet will also be available on our website starting next week.
Save the Date — LeaderFest 2015 – Saturday, January 17, 2015!!!
McClure Lecture
Join us for the annual W. Don McClure Lectures Mon., Sept. 29, and Tues., Sept. 30, 2014. Keynote speaker is Daniel Jeyaraj, professor of world Christianity and director of the Andrew Walls Centre at Liverpool Hope University in Liverpool, UK. These lectures and discussions, held in the Knox Room, Long Hall, are free and open to the public.
On World Communion Sunday, Presbyterian churches in the environs of Shenango Presbytery will come together for the 5th year to celebrate and pray for our partnership with the Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church and the South Sudan Evangelical Presbyterian Church. This event will take place on October 5th at East Main Presbyterian Church at 7PM. We are honored to have Rev. Madut Ngor from Sudan with us this year. As usual, we are asking churches to take up a special offering for Celebrate Sudan on World Communion Sunday, or another Sunday…. Remember, Session approval for this offering is needed.
This year the special offerings collected will be used to help the church in South Sudan provide assistance for South Sudanese refugees, and to assist the two schools in the north (Khartoum) which train church leaders, Nile Theological College and Gereif Bible School. Please join us for a time of music, inspiration, prayer, fellowship, and authentic Sudanese food!!!
Opportunities to Meet Our South Sudan Partner
We are honored to have Rev. Madut Ngor from South Sudan with us this year. Rev. Madut along with his wife Nada has 3 children, Alek 11, Aker 9 and Tong 5. He is the Deputy Secretary General of SSPEC and teaches Philosophy and Religious Studies at the University of Juba. SSPEC Executive Committee has asked Rev. Madut to plan the establishment of a Bible Institute in Juba. Please watch elinks for possible updates.
- Wednesday, October 1
- 6:00 pm – Dinner at Highland Presbyterian Church, 708 Highland Ave, New Castle
- 6:30 pm – Program *Child Care Provided*
- Suggested donation for dinner $2
- Friday, October 3
- 6:30 pm – Dinner at the home of Jill and Jim Mohr, 314 Orchard Terrace Drive, New Wilmington. Please bring a dish to share. This is a great opportunity to visit with both our visitor from South Sudan and the PCUSA International Peacemaker from Malawi. Please RSVP to wlgwin@att.net.
- Saturday, October 4
- 8:30 am – Breakfast at the home of Elizabeth and Ralph Hawkins, 445 W. Neshannock Ave, New Wilmington
- 6:00 pm – An opportunity for families to spend an evening with Rev. Madut roasting hot dogs and marshmallows at the home of Bill & Miriam Gwin, 721 Mt. Air Road, New Castle. RSVP 724-667-8321 or 724-333-6222 or wlgwin@att.net.
- Sunday, October 5
- 9:15 am – Sunday School at New Wilmington Presbyterian Church, 229 S. Market Street
- 11:00 am – Worship at Calvin Presbyterian Church, 615 Crescent Ave, Ellwood City
- 7:00 pm – Celebrate Sudan, East Main, 120 East Main Street, Grove City
What Do They Roast Over Campfires in Sudan?
Ask Rev. Madut Ngor from South Sudan. Bring the whole family and we’ll enjoy a fall evening while roasting host dogs on Saturday, October 4th at the home of Bill & Miriam Gwin (721 Mt. Air Road, New Castle, PA 16102). Questions and RSVP: 724-333-6222 or 724-667-8321 or wlgwin@att.net.
Sudan “Celebration Choir” Rehearsal
Sunday evening, September 28th at Unity Presbyterian Church at Greenfield — 1857 Mercer West Middlesex Road, Route 318 — ALL WHO LIKE TO SING INVITED. The choir will sing an “African” flavored anthem…The choir will meet again at 5:30 PM on Sunday evening, October 5th prior to the 7 PM program. For more info: Call Jane Bartholomew at 724-981-2377 (c-724-699-1762).
If any instrumentalists would like to play along with the piano and keyboard on the group singing at the Sudan Celebration — please call Jane B. at 724-981-2377 to set up a rehearsal time.
National Life Chain
Sunday, October 5th – National Life Chain – a silent, peaceful, prayerful event, sponsored by People Concerned for the Unborn Child and endorsed by New Castle Ministerial Association, Lawrence County Deanery of Catholic Priests, and Ellwood City Ministerium. Pastor-led Prayers & Music at 1:30 PM, Life Chain from 2-3:00 PM…in New Castle at Kennedy Square (Washington & Jefferson Streets), in New Wilmington at Jameson Health Center Parking Lot (Market Street & Neshannock Avenue, and in Ellwood City at McDonald’s Parking Lot (Fifth & Fountain Avenues).
News from the Churches
Ugandan Kids Choir at 1st Sharon
A group of 10 talented Ugandan children will be performing traditional song and dance at First Presbyterian Church of Sharon on October 5th at 6:00 PM. The Ugandan Kids Choir is a ministry of Childcare Worldwide, which has been dedicated to empowering children in the developing world since 1981.
New Series at Northminster
Experience contemporary and ancient worship with a new sermon series, The Blood Covenant, starting in October at Northminster Presbyterian Church, (2434 Wilmington Road, New Castle). The series will take place on Thursday evenings, October 9, 16, 23, and 30 at 7:00 PM. It is open to the community and childcare is available.
Fall Fest
The Wurtemburg Presbyterian Church will be holding their 21st Annual Fall Fest on Saturday, September 27th from 9 AM to 2 PM. Crafts, food court, soup, baked goods. Call 724-758-6785 for more information or to reserve a table.
PEO Soup Fest and Bake Sale
The sixth annual PEO Soup Fest and Bake Sale fundraiser will be held Saturday, October 4, 2014 at the First Presbyterian Church of Sharon (600 East State Street). Serving 11 AM – 2 PM. Dine-in: all you can eat soup, beverage, and dessert – $8.00. Take-out quarts of soup, $8.00. PEO Provides Educational Opportunities for women.
Soup and Pie at Bessemer
Bring your favorite bowl from home (any size) and fill it up for only $5.00 at Bessemer Presbyterian Church on Saturday, October 18th at 7:00 PM. Bread, crackers, beverages, and refills (and bowls for those that forget) will be provided. Choose from Chicken Noodle, Chili, Ham and Bean, or Vegetable. Stay for dessert with a “Surprise Inside Pie Auction”. All pies will be homemade!
Spaghetti Dinner
Thursday, October 30, 2014 from 4:30 – 6:00 PM at Clen-Moore Presbyterian Church, New Castle. Adults $9.00, Ages 5-10 $4.00, Family $20.00. Proceeds to benefit missions. Take-Outs Available!
The Presbytery of Shenango 